Grand Forks County Archives — North Dakota Genealogy

War and Railroads in the Red River Valley

The Sioux Indian outbreak primarily affected central and western Minnesota but also impacted the Red River Valley, leading to settler fatalities and the besiegement of Fort Abercrombie. Many settlers fled to safety at local forts. Military actions, such as Hatch’s Battalion and Cunningham’s Expedition, aimed to stabilize the area amid ongoing conflicts. The buffalo herds, crucial to local ecosystems, vanished around 1867 due to overhunting. By 1869, the Hudson Bay Company lost control, opening the region for settlement, which was further propelled by the arrival of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific railroads.

The Beginning of the Red River Steamboat Era

In the late 1850s, interest grew in navigating the Red River with steamboats, which had previously been used for canoe transport. Captain Russell Blakely’s exploration in 1858 led to the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce offering incentives for steamboat navigation. The first vessel, the Anson Northup, began operations in 1859. Despite obstacles like low water levels and competition from railroads, the steamboat era flourished until around 1886. Key boats included the historic Freighter and International, which faced challenges such as changing water levels and Indian hostilities while navigating the river’s bends.

Fur Trade in the Red River Valley

The Hudson Bay Fur Company dominated the fur trade in the Red River Valley, limiting settlement in Canada until Parliament intervened. The region within the U.S. was accessible after extinguishing Indian titles, prompting settlers to occupy the valley. The fur trade faced decline as settlers advanced, threatening the business of fur traders, who resisted colonization. Lord Selkirk’s efforts in the early 1800s enabled agricultural development in Manitoba. By 1857, steps were taken to open British North American lands to commerce, marking the end of the fur trade era, also known as the “half breed epoch.

Old Times in the Red River Valley

Following the 1826 flood, the Red River Valley experienced a period of relative historical silence, punctuated primarily by annual buffalo hunts. Skilled hunters, often accompanied by families and traders, would gather in large numbers to hunt buffalo, a vital food source. The resulting pemmican and hides were crucial for winter survival and trade. Socially, the area comprised a mix of halfbreeds, Indians, and traders, some enjoying luxuries while others maintained a simple lifestyle. This era shaped the valley’s early culture, with trapping in spring, hunting in summer, and trading becoming foundational activities for the region.

Historical Outline of the Red River Valley

The history of the Red River Valley is divided into two significant epochs over the past century. The first was dominated by fur trading, notably under the Hudson Bay Company, while the second saw the settlement and development of agriculture, leading to the establishment of North Dakota and Manitoba. Transition between these epochs was gradual, marked by the influence of Indigenous tribes like the Sioux and the Mound Builders, as well as early European explorers and settlers, including the Selkirk colonists from Scotland. Their challenges and eventual successes laid the groundwork for future prosperity and growth in the region.

Biography of Luther B. Richardson of Grand Forks North Dakota

Luther B. Richardson, born March 22, 1836, in Cheshire, Massachusetts, relocated with his family to Plattsburg and then Lowville, New York. In 1882, he moved to Grand Forks, Dakota Territory, where he played a key role in organizing the Union National Bank, serving as its president. Richardson was deeply involved in public affairs, serving as Secretary of the Territory of North Dakota in 1889 and Mayor of Grand Forks from 1890 to 1894. Known for his enterprise and prudence, he passed away on July 20, 1901, in Grand Forks, survived by his wife and one son.

Biography of Louis K. Hassell of Grand Forks North Dakota

Louis K. Hassell, born August 19, 1862, near Hamar, Norway, became a prominent resident of Grand Forks, North Dakota. After immigrating to the U.S. in 1881, he worked in various legal and governmental positions. He edited the Norwegian newspaper “Tidende” and founded the “Normanden.” Hassell served as clerk of the district court from 1889, elected four times, and later as county judge. Active in the Republican party and various fraternal organizations, he married Sophia A. Anderson in 1886, and they had four children: Clarence L., Selma L., Olga O., and Agnes F.

Biography of Kenneth Campbell Hunter of Grand Forks North Dakota

Kenneth Campbell Hunter, a contractor and builder in Grand Forks, North Dakota, was born January 28, 1858, in Huron County, Ontario, Canada. Son of Kenneth Hunter and Ann Campbell Hunter, he moved to North Dakota in 1881 and pursued a career in contracting and building. Between 1884 and 1889, he lived in Crookston, Minnesota, before returning to Grand Forks. Hunter served as an alderman and held shares in the Grand Forks Building and Developing Company. He married Margaret E. Willow on June 5, 1884, and they had several children. He was an active member of several fraternal organizations and the First Presbyterian Church.

Biography of Michael F. Murphy of Grand Forks, North Dakota

Michael F. Murphy, born March 28, 1858, in Dubuque County, Iowa, became a prominent figure in Grand Forks, North Dakota. After a diverse career in bookkeeping and sales, he co-founded Collins & Murphy in 1886, growing it into the state’s largest farm implement and fuel business. Post-1893, he excelled in the insurance industry and was highly active in public affairs, including serving on the Grand Forks city council, school board, and as a state senator. Married to Margaret E. Bowler in 1882, they had eight children, with Margaret notably surviving a tragic 1909 steamship collision.

Biography of Moses Norman of Grand Forks North Dakota

Moses Norman, born September 9, 1863, in Henderson, Minnesota, was a prominent businessman in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He moved to Grand Forks in 1882, later establishing an undertaking business in Lakota before returning to Grand Forks in 1901 to run a successful undertaking and furniture business. Active in civic affairs, Norman served on the local school board from 1895 and held leadership positions in the Furniture Dealers Association and the Irish American Club. A Democrat and devout Roman Catholic, he married Ella Clara Lynch in 1886, with whom he had six children.